What has been going on in LaLiga this past week? Here are 10 of the top stories, from FC Barcelona’s successful weekend to Getafe CF’s latest victory.
Club football returned this weekend, and there were several significant results in LaLiga EA SPORTS. The main ones are discussed below, along with the rest of the week’s news.
1. Muriqi’s late goal downs Real Madrid
RCD Mallorca earned a memorable 2-1 victory over Real Madrid on Saturday afternoon, with Vedat Muriqi’s 91st minute goal earning the islanders all three points. The centre-forward is now on to 19 goals for the season, just four behind Pichichi Trophy leader Kylian Mbappé.
2. Barça move seven points ahead
FC Barcelona took full advantage of Real Madrid’s slip-up by winning 2-1 away at Atlético de Madrid on Saturday night. Goals from Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski secured a very important win for the Catalan outfit, who now sit seven points clear of Real Madrid with just eight matchdays remaining.
3. Elche CF slip back into the relegation zone
The other consequence of RCD Mallorca’s victory over Real Madrid is that the islanders have climbed out of the bottom three. Elche CF, who lost 1-0 at Rayo Vallecano in Matchday 30, are now back into the relegation zone, but it’s ever so tight.
4. A tough start for Luis García Plaza
Sevilla FC are at serious risk of relegation, with the Andalusian outfit just two points above Elche CF in the current standings. New coach Luis García Plaza had his debut in Matchday 30, but oversaw a 1-0 defeat to bottom-placed Real Oviedo. As such, there is a real fear at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán that the team could go down.
5. Getafe CF keep their good run going
Goals from Luis Vázquez and Martín Satriano earned Getafe CF a 2-0 victory over Athletic Club this past weekend, keeping Los Azulones very much in contention for a European place. The club from southern Madrid sit eighth in the LaLiga EA SPORTS table, having won six of their past eight fixtures.
6. Real Sociedad return to winning ways
Level on points with Getafe CF are Real Sociedad, who got back to winning ways this weekend by overcoming Levante UD 2-0, courtesy of goals from Jon Martin and Brais Méndez. With the Copa del Rey final coming up later this month, the Basque side will want to build up some positive momentum.
7. RC Celta win a thriller at Mestalla
Valencia CF v RC Celta may have been the match of the weekend, with the visitors eventually coming out on top 3-2 in a back-and-forth game. Despite trailing 1-0 at the interval, the Galicians fought back in the second half thanks to goals from Ilaix Moriba, Fer López and Williot Swedberg.
8. Kick-off times confirmed for the upcoming midweek round
There is a midweek round of action on the horizon, with Matchday 33 taking place across Tuesday April 21st, Wednesday April 22nd and Thursday April 23rd. The top two are both at home, with Real Madrid hosting Deportivo Alavés at 21:30 CEST on the Tuesday night and with FC Barcelona welcoming RC Celta to Catalonia at 21:30 CEST on the Wednesday night.
9. More LaLiga players qualify for the World Cup
Last midweek the final FIFA World Cup playoffs were held, with several Spain-based footballers qualifying for the tournament with their national teams, including Arda Güler’s Türkiye, Cédric Bakambu’s DR Congo and Williot Swedberg’s Sweden.
10. Spanish clubs prepare for European quarterfinals
This coming midweek is a big one for six Spanish clubs, with European quarterfinals coming up. Atlético de Madrid and FC Barcelona face off in the Champions League, while Real Madrid take on Bayern Munich in the same competition. In the Europa League, Real Betis will meet SC Braga and RC Celta will clash with SC Freiburg. And in the Conference League, Rayo Vallecano are preparing for the challenge of AEK Athens.